Paving brick or block.



J. M. PORTER.

PAVING BRICK 0R BLOCK.

APPLICATION, IILBI) JULY 3, 1911.

1,034,033. Patented July 30,1912.

WITN 53195: INV TOR. M 1 M &F% S ATToRN xg. v

union sra'rns ATENT orrion.

James M. roman, or rta rssunen, :enmvsynvanm.

' PAVING- BRICK R BLOCK.

rosaoss.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, James M. Portrait, a citizen of the United States of Amer ca, re-

siding at- Pittsburgh, in the county of Alleby the use of the bricks orblocks, it'is essentiab that grouting be employed and inorder that a rapid laying of the bricks inay be had, each brick is provided witht-complemental structures by means of which they may be laid and the grouting placed in position al er a fixed area has been laid. The formation of these coinplemental means, as disclosed in the art to which this invention pertains, requires either a hand operation in the formation of the bricks, making the cost practically prohibitive, or, if the brick is made by machine, requires a rehandling and a press operation for the purpose of placing these configurations on the brick or block prior to the firing thereof, this second operation increasing the costof the briclcto 'a. considerable extent. Not only is the cost increased, but the particular structure of the body of the brick is such as to require that these con'ipleinental means be placed on particular sides of the body in order that the laminations or grain of the body produced in the making of the brick by the machine, will not be affected during the repress operation; such means generally in the form of projections and depressions are, therefore, arranged on the faces of the brick,

corresponding to the ends of the laminations or grain of the brick, thus leaving as the exposed surface in the paving", the initially pressed surface of the bodyof'the' bricksthat produced in the. initial niaki'ng by the machine. As a result of such formation, the bricks, when laid, heve theirexposed surfaces parallel with the direction of length of the laniinations so that any cracking or breaking of the brick or its surface causes a break to be made in the surface, similar to that which would be produced by chipping, such chips extending laterally o the brick, the chips readily breaking away, the grouting generally forming an insufiicientbinder to retain them, or, if'the grouting should'by chance be sufficient to prevent the actual removal of the chip's, leaving the chips relatively loose where they would be quickly broken and render the surface rough.

My invention as' herein disclosed, is effec tive against both of these disadvantages, re-' ducing the cost of manufacture of the bricks :by eliminating entirely there-press operation, and by proyiding the complemental means on faces of the brick which will cause the ends of the laminations to be exposed as theroadway. By eliminatingt-he second or re-press operation, the cost of,handling the brick or block after its issuance from the machine through the re-press operation is saved, thereby enabling the brick to be produced at a grea'tly'reduced cost; by reason of the formation of the brick in such manner that the ends of the laminations only are exposed, the chipping or breaking of the brick or block in such manner as to provide 'an irregular roadbtd is eliminated, since the breaks, following the laminations, would extend from the top to the bottom .Of the brick with the result that any tendency 1 I Specification of Letters Patent. Patented; July 1912. Application filed July -3, 1911. .fiel'ial No. 636,576.

o-f-the chips to move awaywould be in a direction toward the adjacent brick andthis would be prevented by reason of the grouting, so that'the brick remains'subst-an' tially intact and provides for an even wear-- ing surface to the roadbed'.

The principal object," therefore, of niy invention is toproiide a brick or block for this purpose. which is capable of being laid rapidly-,I- an'd'in which the grouting will retaint he bricks in pro-per position, thereby providing anefficient and serviceable road:

bed.

Q-A further-object :is to provide'brick or block forthis' purpose which may be coin- 40 bricks are laid.

55 brick, thereby causing the face of one pleted without the requirement of a second or re-press operation.

A further object is to provide a brick or block for this purpose in which the config- 5 uration is so arranged as to employ the ends of the brick laminations as the exposed faces of the paving.

Other and further objects of the invention are to provide a brick of this character which may be readily manufactured, is durable, and which can be supplied at a rela tively low cost.

To these, and other ends, the nature of which will be readily understood as the in- '15 vention is hereinafter disclosed,-my inventien consists in the improved construction and combination of parts. hereinafter fully descr bed, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

, In the accompanying drawings, in which similar reference characters indicate similar parts in each of the viewsFigures 1, 2 and 3 are each fragmentary views of surfaces formed by the use of a plurality of bricks,

.each brick embodying the essentials of my invention, the several views showing different ways in which the'configuration may be varied for the purpose of producing a desired result. Fig. 4 1s a perspective view of a brick such as is employed in connection with the paving shown in Fig. 1.

A brick having a configuration falling wlthln the scope of the present invention and adapted to be used in the manner herein a face of a brick or bricks of an adjacent row. In Fig. 4 I show one way in which these projections may be arranged, employing-two spaced-apart projections 10 of equal projection length, and a single projection 11 on each end, the projections 11 being of substantially one-half the projection length of the projections 10, the projections 11 being arranged substantially midway of the length of the ends of the rojection 11 td abut against the face of a similar projection of an adjacent brick in the same row and providing a grouting space equal to that between bricks of adjacent 30 IOWS.

It will be understood, of course, that the projection yll maybe located on but one end and have'a projection length equal to that of the projections 10, the purpose being to provide for a substantially equal grouting space at the sides and ends of the brick. I

also desire it to be understood that i may, if desired, employ more than a single projection 11 on the ends. as shown for instance in Fig. 3, and it will also be understood that the projections 10 may also be of half projection length in which case both of the sides of a brick would be JIOYltlOtl with projections abutting in the manner shown at the ends in Figs. 1. 2 and 3. Each of these variations in structure is to illustrate the general idea in this respect, viz.: the provision of spacing members which will permit of the laying of the bricks in contact with each other in such manner as to provide a substantial uniform grouting space between adjacent bricks.

For the purpose of providing means for preventing relative. longitudinal movement of bricks of adjacent rows, I preferably employ one or more depressions in the opposite side faces of the bric s. these depressions extending in parallelism to the projections 10, and being preferably arranged so as to provide for a depression of a brick of one row to cooperate with a depression of a. brick in the adjacent row in su h manner that when the grouting is placed in position there will be formed by the grouting what may be termed a key which will extend into both depressions, and thus lock such bricks against relative longitudinal movement.

For the purpose of illustrating, I have designated the dt-rpressions as 12. The de pressions have their direction of length vertically of the brick or block and preferal'ily extend from the top face to the bottom face of the brick, thereby enabling the grouting to be readily inserted and to extend tl'n'onghout the space between adjacent bricks without requiring the grouting material to more laterally, the brick preferably having the same configuration on any section taken on any line substantially parallel to the top or bottom planes of the brick.

The deprt'rssions may be of any suitable contour, those shown in Figs. 1. Q'and 4 being senii-circuhug while those shown in Fig. 3 are enlarged beyond the plane of the face of the brick somewhat similar to a key hole. It is trrbe understood, of course, that the particular form of the depression will be that preferred by the user, since it will be under-stood that they may be formed n curved or straight lines as may be desired, the invention contemplating either of these types.

The depressions may be positioned to produce various combinations. For instance. in Fig. 1, the depressions of the opposite sides of a brick are so arranged that when a side of one brick is laid in proper relation to a brick of an adjacent row, the bricks being cated in Fig. 3 25 laid with break-joints, the depressions will be opposed to each other to form substan-. tially a circular enlargement in the grouting, said enlargement extending from the top to the bottom of the brick. In Fig. 2, the depressions are positioned so that an over-lapping is provided, whichever-lap. ping provides an enlargement which ex tends angularly to the general direct-ion of length of the grouting, while the structure in Fig. 3 is such that the depressions extend opposite to each other and form enlargements which not only act to preventrelative longitudinal movement of bricks of adjacent rows, as in the views shown in Figs. 1 and 2, but in addition act to prevent a separation of bricks of adjacent rows, due to the key hole arrangement ofthe depressions.

In the form shown in Figs. 1 and 2, I do not employ a key structure at the ends, butit will'be understood that, if desired, the ends may also be arranged with keys or enlargements, such a construct-ion being indi- I pre'fera ly employ at least two depressions on each side face of the bricks, the depressions on the projection side being positioned between the projections and preferably in proximity. thereto, while the depressions of the opposite side face are positioned so as to provide the desired complenienta-l enlargement-configuration while the bricks or blocks are laid. By this arrangement, it'

' will be understood that the depressions of each side face co-actwith depressionsmf. two bricks or blocks of an adjacent row to form an enlargement connection between the several bricks or blocks, and that the two enlargements so provided are connected together by the grouting between the two rows and the enlargements and that 'this particular connection 'of grouting is also connected to the grouting between opposing ends of the bricks of the adjacent row, there- 45 by providing for an arrangement of grouting in which the approximate ends at th sides ofthe adjacent bricks are enlarged laterally to' project into the bricks, the-particular character of the enlargements or keys depending upon the shape and particular positions of the depressions.

In the form shown in Fig. 3, the keys act not \only to prevent relative longitudinal movement of the bricks, but also to prevent "the latterfrom opening out with the result that adjacent bricks are securely anchored And ,by the pressions fat-.the'ends as well as at the sides provides an additional elementwhich acts to anchor the adjacent bricks together.

The particular arrangement of depres sions and projections on thesside and end which the sides and ends are formed by the walls of an opening through which the material is forced in a continuous stream and afterward out to provide a proper depth to the brick.- By this form of manufacture,

the laminations of the brick extend substantially parallel to the direction of length of the projections and depressions, the sides and ends being what are known as smooth or skin faced, while the top and bottom faces are relatively rough, being composed of the ends of the laminations. As cracks or breaks in, the brick generally occur along the lines of the laminations, it will be read ily understood that by reason of the fact that the sides and ends are supported by the grouting, chipping is practically eliminated, and that the exposed face of the brick will provide an even wear without the formation of material breaks, etc.

In View of the fact that the. brick is formed complete'with the exception of its top and bottom faces, in the machine, the top and bottom faces being provided by a suitable cutting mechanism, generally ar- .ranged in proximity to the issuing stream, there is no requirement of a re-press operation, nor the handling incident thereto, thereby decreasing the cost of manufacture of bricks.

Aslieretofore pointed out the bricks are first laid and then the growing, generally in the form of cement, is poured into the exposed spaces between. the bricks, the particular arrangement of depressions and pro- -jecti'ons permitting of the grouting ttVbe' placed in position without any requirement of the use of pressure of any kind, sint e there is no requirement of a lateral forcing of the grouting material, each grouting space being of similar configuration throughout its vertical length. enabling the material to be readily poured into position and providing for proper expansion and .of the roadbed when'formed.

The particular arrangement by which the exposed face of the brickin use isformed by the ends of the laminations instead. of

contraction the sides, I deem ofgreat importance, since a structure. built up of bricks of this type will withstand the hardest usage with little or no liability of the bricks to crack or break, the laminations being supported by the grouting, and the pressure in usage being placed entirely on the ends of tlie laminations.

In the forms shown in the drawings. the enlargements in grouting are shown as havingaconfiguration in which the opposing projecting portions are either in direct op position or so close as to provide for a practically continuous enlargement in connec-' tion With each depression. While such structure is preferred, I may space the depressions in such manner that the enlargements of the grouting extend in opposite directions at spaced points, each depression, however, extending from top to bottom of the brick, so as to form a cavity between bricks of approximately similar configuration throughout the vertical length. And While I prefer to provide more than single depression on each side face of the brick, I do not limit myself to such construction, as I may employ but a single depression on one or on both sides, as may be found dcsirable.

By the particular construction shown, it will be readily understood that there is a co-action between the spacing projections and the enlargements of the grouting space which tends to prevent relative longitudinal movements of the bricks or block. For instance, if the spacing projections be employed without the depressions. no resistance, other than the connection of the grouting with the face of the bricks or block is provided against a relative longitudinal movement of the blocks. On the other hand, if the depressions alone are employed, the resistance afforded is simply that of the particular depressions of each brick of the row which receives the longitudinal pressure. \Vhile this latter fun tion is present in my improved construction. this resistance is increased by reason of the fact that such. pressure must in addition be exerted against the enlargements or depressions of the opposing surface of the grouting space. the spacing"proje tions placing the pressure on the nds of the grouting space and necessarily against the entire contents of that space. 7

Paving provided in accordance with the disclosure herein and by the use of bricks or blocks of the character described. possesses many advantages among which are to be found the fact that. by reason of the prevention oirclalivc longitudinal movement of adjacent rows of bricks. due to the presence of the keys or enlargcnn-uts, the bricks may be laid without any necessity of using curbing or its equivalent, thereby enabling the paving to occupy but a portion ol the road bed if such arrangement be desired, it being understood. of course. that either the entire width or but a portion of the width of the road nay be provided with the improved paving. Another advantage resulting from this construction and particularly from the fact that the exposed surface of the paving is provided by the ends of the brick laniinations, the tendency to slip or, in the use of automobiles, to skid, is reduced by to the projections, said deprexi the fancy of the purchaser, and l desire it to be understood that I reserve the right to make any and all such changes and modifications therein as may be found desiable, so long as such changes ,and modifications fall within the .spirit and scope of the invention as expressed in the accompanying claims.

Having thus described my ini-ention, what I claim as new-and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. Apaving brick or block having a side face formed with spacing projections and also having a plurality of depressions intermediate the projections, said depressions be-- ing spaced apart and positioned in proximity 'ons being adapted to co-act with depressions of two bricks of an adjacent row to form enlargements within whiclrgrouting material be tween the rows may be received to form a key havingspaced-apart enlargements, said enlargements and the spacing projections coacting to retain the bricks of-adjaccntrows against relative longitudinal movement. said depressions extending from the top to the bottom planes of the brick.

:2. A paving brick or block having a side t'acc termed with spacing projections and also having a plurality of depressions intermediate the projections. said depressions being spaced apart and positioned in proximity to the projections. said depressions being adapted to co-act with depressions of two bricks of an adjacent row to form enlargements within which grouting material between the rows may be received to form a key havingspaccd apart enlargements, said enlargements and the spacing projections co-' acting to retain the bricks of adjacent rows against relative longitudinalmovement, said depressions extending from thetop to the bottom planes of the bricks and being of substantially equal cross-sectional configuration throughout their length.

3. A paving structure comprising successive rows of paving bricks or blocks, each block having one of its side faces provided with spacing projections having their directions of length extending at direct right angles to the direction of longitudinal thrust of the brick or block when positioned in a row and adapted to form interrupted gr ou t longitudinal movements of the successive ,i'ng'spaces intermediate the rows, the opporows. 10

site side facesof a brick or block also hav- In testimony whereof I afiiX my signature ing vertically-extending depressions to proin the presence of two witnesses.

5 vide enlargements to the grouting spz ce into JAMES M. PORTER.

which each opens, said spacing pro ections Witnesses: and .the depressionsor enlargements of the H. G. SEITZ, grouting spaces co-acting-to prevent relative H. C. EVERT. 

